Pirates looking to go top, City away at Highlands

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Orlando Pirates will be hoping to regain top spot in the Absa Premiership when they face Platinum Stars on Tuesday as Highlands Park welcome Cape Town City.

The Buccaneers will welcome Dikwena to the Orlando Stadium when the two sides meet in the Absa Premiership with Muhsin Ertugral’s side keen to oust Golden Arrows at the top of the standings.

The Sea Robbers will be eager to take to the field after their match against Bidvest Wits was postponed due to security concerns related to student protests.

Last week, Pirates saw their 100 per cent start to the Absa Premiership come to an end after being held to a goalless draw with Cape Town City. Ertugral was not pleased with his side’s performance against City and will be hoping for a far improved display.

Platinum Stars suffered their first defeat in the Absa Premiership when they were beaten 1-0 by newly-promoted side Baroka at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium through a Ndivivhuwo Ravhuhali 40th minute penalty. Dikwena coach Cavin Johnson says his side were hurting after their defeat to the National First Division champions but he expects Stars to response when they face the Buccaneers.

Meanwhile, Highlands Park will be hoping to bounce back from their 3-2 defeat against Polokwane City when they host Cape Town City at the Makhulong Stadium. The Lions of the North have been inconsistent during their debut season in the PSL as coach Allan Freese’s men will be hoping to end their two-match losing run.

However, Freese did lead his side to a 2-1 victory in their opening PSL fixture against Baroka before succumbing to two consecutive defeats against Kaizer Chiefs and Polokwane City.

Charlton Mashumba and Collins Mbesuma scored for Highlands as they lost to Rise and Shine and will also be expected to find the target at home against City. Eric Tinkler will be looking to keep his side’s momentum going following their hard-fought 1-0 victory over rivals Ajax Cape Town on Friday. The Cape-based side defeated Polokwane City in their debut match and recently beat Ajax Cape Town but drew against Orlando Pirates and have suffered their first defeat against Golden Arrows.

The 46-year-old coach will be hoping Bhongolwethu Jayiya can emulate what he did in the previous match after scoring against the Urban Warriors.

Meanwhile, Maritzburg United are out to prove themselves after suffering a 2-0 defeat against Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend while Polokwane City are high in confidence coming off the back of a 3-2 victory over Highlands.

Both sides will be hoping to collect all three points when they meet at the Harry Gwala Stadium, with the Team of Choice currently sitting 11th on the Absa Premiership table while Rise and Shine occupy in seventh.

Tuesday’s PSL fixtures: 

Orlando Pirates vs Platinum Stars – 19:30

Maritzburg United vs Polokwane City – 19:30

Highlands Park vs Cape Town City – 19:30